Femi Falana Accuses Police of Using Expired Tear Gas on Makoko Protesters

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, alleged that the police used expired tear gas canisters on protesters during the Makoko demolitions in Lagos State. Falana made the accusation during a visit to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where protest-related injuries were treated.

He highlighted that tear gas canisters caused severe injuries, emphasizing that such actions were unconstitutional and violated citizens' rights to peaceful assembly. Falana stressed that under the 1999 Constitution, Nigerians do not need police permits to protest, and the police are mandated to provide security for protests.

The incident occurred during protests against the illegal demolitions and forced evictions in the Makoko waterfront area of Lagos. Falana, with over 40 years of protest participation experience, condemned the police's use of tear gas and the resulting injuries as abnormal.